Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec, 17: Anganwadi Workers Welfare Association (AWWA) affiliated to Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) held a protest dharna at Billawar in front of ADC Office Billawar and submitted a memorandum to Lt Governor of J&K UT through him.
The Association has opposed the order No 222-JK dated 30.11.22 of the Social Welfare Department in which age has been fixed to 60 years and various other unjustified conditions like that Aganwadi worker working in her village if married will be treated as disengaged and further disengagement of those workers and helpers who attain the age of 60 years. It is said but nothing has been mentioned about their statuary dues, pending salaries and retirement lump sum payment etc to them.
While addressing the workers Neelam Sharma general secretary, State BMS alleged that the too much enthusiasm is being shown by some of the officials who are thinking that after retrenching these workers they will engage workers of their choices and will mint money.
Association reiterated that workers will not leave the centres till their dues are paid. The BMS leader said that the new HR policy framed for future engagement of workers and helpers to be appointed under ICDS manual which reads that the workers will retire at the age of 65 years and if Government wanted to disengage these workers then it has to frame a new retirement policy /benefits apart lump sum compensation for Anganwadi workers and helpers those who have given their 30-40 years of their life.
It demanded that Government has to pay Rs five lakh to Anganwadi workers and Rs three lakh to helpers before reliving them from service.
Addressing the workers Neena Sharma State Executive Member of AWWA alleged that Anganwadi workers/helpers have been working since long and J&K is the only State which is paying state share just @ Rs 600 PM for workers and Rs. 300 PM for helpers since 2010 and after including Centre share they are being paid total Honorarium @ Rs 5100 per month for Anganwadi worker and Rs 2550 for helpers.
She said there is no any direction from the Central Government and as per the Central guideline 65 years age is fixed. It is pertinent to mention here that at present neighbouring states are paying State shares i.e. Haryana pays Rs 8161, Delhi 6750, Punjab 3650 and Himachal Pradesh Rs 4500 but the J&K is the only State in the country which pays a meager amount as honorarium, she added.
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